Jonathan D. Epstein

Contractor and developer Lucas James' Skyline Hotel & Restaurant at 9485 Main St., would consist of a three-story building with 27 guest rooms and a 160-seat restaurant, according to his application to the town.

Bill Burke, through his Edge Development, is proposing to construct four buildings with 22 market-rate apartments and commercial space on the south side of Sheridan Drive, just west of the intersection with Main Street where Sheridan ends.

Officials have not identified specific buildings or even areas within downtown that could be targeted in such a big transformation. But they say it's likely to happen over time as offices continue to empty out and commercial leases expire.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said he objects to any additional state assistance for developer Nick Sinatra's Heritage Point project at Canalside, saying the developer should now be able to do the project on his own and calling for punitive actions if work doesn't restart soon.

The Buffalo Urban Development Corp. this week approved a 63-month lease for Rookery Labs to occupy space that was vacated this summer by Gardwood Medical.

The IDA on Tuesday approved the assistance for the Iowa-based company's $175 million expansion.

An aerial view as a giant tractor trailer carrying the Seneca Chief, a replica of an 1825 canal boat built by hand by over 200 volunteers since

BY JONATHAN D. EPSTEIN

Included in the nominations are the Spencer Kellogg & Sons grain elevator in Buffalo, the Sattler Theatre in Buffalo, a bank building in Alden and a brick house in East Aurora.

Get ready to see some serious shoe-horning in eight city neighborhoods.